Golden Eagle ‘fan experience’ will be top priority at Eblen Center basketball games

Oct 13, 2013

Feedback from fans helped shape services being
offered

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Customer service leading to a fantastic
fan experience will be the top priority this season in Tennessee
Tech’s Eblen Center for fans cheering for the Golden Eagle
women’s and men’s basketball teams.

“We have taken a look at every aspect of the fan experience
at our home basketball games, from how we greet you to how we treat
you, and we believe we’ve done everything we can to make it
the best experience it can be,” says Mark Wilson, TTU
Director of Athletics.

“Many of our fans provided input last year, and we have
listened,” he says. “There are many aspects of Golden
Eagle basketball that are extremely popular, such as the Hoop Troop
and the autograph tables, but there were also some areas where we
needed improvements.

“We have made some changes that we feel will enhance every
fan’s visit to Golden Eagle basketball games, and we want to
continue to hear feedback,” he said.

“Our hope is for every fan attending any Tech basketball
game will enjoy a great experience,” Wilson added.
“That goes from how they are greeted when they arrive on
campus, to the services we provide in the arena, to the
concessions, the announcements, and the in-game activities. We have
tried to look at every minute of their visit and make sure it is
the best it can possibly be.”

One change that fans will welcome: individual game tickets have
been reduced from $10 to $8 per ticket. In addition, Tech offers
several season ticket and group sales options.

At the core of each event will be the performance of the Golden
Eagle teams and the fans’ avid support of the players.

“Once the whistle blows and the ball is tossed up for the
tipoff, the game is in the hands of our coaches and
student-athletes, and we are really excited about the upcoming
season for both teams,” Wilson said. “Coach (Jim) Davis
and coach (Steve) Payne, and their staffs and players are working
very hard to get ready for an exciting season.

“Cheering for the Golden Eagles is the reason fans come to
the arena,” he said.

“The rest of the Athletics staff has spent a lot of time
working on all of the aspects of ‘Tech Basketball’ that
takes place off the court,” he said.

The most visible change will be seen inside the arena with the
services offered by game ushers. The system of checking tickets and
limiting access by sections has been lifted, allowing fans to move
in-and-out of the arena – from the outer concourse into the
bowl seating area, regardless of where their seats are located.
Fans will also have free access inside the bowl area, to move
around the inner concourse.

“Obviously, fans will be expected to sit in their assigned
seats, but someone with a ticket in one section shouldn’t be
limited from access to all of the services in the arena, or from
visiting fans in other sections, including family members,”
Wilson said.

“The primary function of our ushers will be to provide
assistance and direction,” Wilson said. “They will help
fans find their assigned seats, and they will be available if fans
have any problems or concerns. The ushers will greet fans and offer
assistance.”

Fans will be encouraged to approach ushers in the event of any
seating problems or for directions to seating, rest rooms,
concessions, the ticket office, and any other service provided in
the arena.

The friendly, helpful greetings will begin outside in the parking
areas, where personnel will greet fans and provide directions to
specific parking lots. Most of the campus will feature free, open
parking for visiting fans, while select lots will continue to be
restricted to specific groups such as Athletics Association donors
and media, along with additional handicap locations.

Once fans step through the doors and into Eblen Center, they will
be met by personnel in the ticket office, ticket gates, concession
stands and seating areas with the specific goal of offering
welcoming greetings and assistance.

Fans visiting the concession stands will find a new addition to
the arena that allows them to keep up with the action if they are
waiting in line. Large television screens have been placed above
the concession stands which will be airing the live telecast of the
games.

Wilson said that several more aspects of home games have also been
studied and will be fine-tuned before the season opens in early
November. These include music played before and during the game,
both over the P.A. system and from the Pep Band, some new wrinkles
will be introduced for timeout activities that will feature fan
involvement, and the location of the autograph tables will be
mid-court following the final game of the night.

Season tickets are currently on sale for the 2013-14 Golden Eagle
season, with a variety of ticket options and prices
available. To order tickets, or for more information, fans
can visit or call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center at
(931) 372-3940.

A schedule of the special events and promotions planned for the
2013-14 season will be announced soon, including County Nights,
Youth Nights, Academic Excellence Night, and more.